Integrated Community Alternatives Network recently presented a Legacy of Impact Award to Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES during the inaugural ICAN High Stakes, High Impact: Leadership Networking Night.
Herkimer BOCES was recognized for its Academics Re-imagined Connecting Healing, Education and Supports program, also known as ARCHES, and for the longstanding partnership between Herkimer BOCES and ICAN.
ICAN Chief Executive Officer/President Steven Bulger spoke about ARCHES and the partnership when presenting the award to Herkimer BOCES.
“Through collaboration, compassion and excellence, this program has created lasting change, strengthened communities and provided hope and support to countless individuals,” Bulger said. “Your collective impact over the past decade is a testament to the power of teamwork and a steadfast commitment to making a difference.”
The High Stakes, High Impact: Leadership Networking Night took place on Wednesday, Aug. 26, at the Breezes Banquet & Event Center in Utica. Other organizations recognized during the event included Utica City School District, Madison-Oneida BOCES and Westmoreland Central School District.
Herkimer BOCES Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services Kathryn Ferguson, Herkimer BOCES Director of Special Programs at Pathways Academy and Central Valley 5-12 Tracy Facchini and Herkimer BOCES Assistant Principal of Pathways Academy K-6 Krista Kozma attended the event to accept the Legacy of Impact Award.
This year marks 10 years of the Herkimer BOCES/ICAN partnership through ARCHES. Herkimer BOCES recognized ICAN with the Herkimer BOCES Outstanding Community Partner Award in 2022.
Now, the Legacy of Impact Award recognizes the exceptional service, unwavering dedication and shared commitment of both organizations to providing intensive supports that have positively impacted the lives of many children and their families, Ferguson said.
“A true partnership eliminates the idea of ‘us’ and ‘them,’” Ferguson said. “Herkimer BOCES and ICAN operate as one team, united by a shared commitment to meeting students where they are and working alongside their families to provide the support they need to succeed. Ten years later, ARCHES demonstrates what is possible when organizations combine their expertise and resources around the needs of children and families.”
ARCHES was created 10 years ago in response to a critical regional need for intensive services for children experiencing significant behavioral challenges. The program emerged at a time when changes in New York state’s licensing of day treatment programs created a significant gap in services for students and families. Herkimer BOCES and ICAN came together to develop a different model – one that integrates education and intensive behavioral and family supports to help students remain connected to school and their communities.
“ARCHES was originally developed under the leadership of [retired Herkimer BOCES administrator] Roberta Mathews and continues to grow and thrive today under the leadership of Director Tracy Facchini and the dedicated staff who support our students each day,” Ferguson said.
Ferguson, Facchini and Kozma enjoyed attending ICAN’s awards and networking night.
“It was a wonderful event and a meaningful opportunity to celebrate a decade of partnership while also generating new ideas for how we can continue to strengthen community partnerships on behalf of students and families,” Ferguson said.
Herkimer BOCES received a Legacy of Impact Award at ICAN’s High Stakes, High Impact: Leadership Networking Night on Wednesday, Aug. 26, at the Breezes Banquet & Event Center in Utica. From left: ICAN Chief Innovation Officer Jeremy Butler, Herkimer BOCES Assistant Principal of Pathways Academy K-6 Krista Kozma, ICAN Program Manager/Behavior Support Strategist Jenn Pedersen, Herkimer BOCES Director of Special Programs at Pathways Academy and Central Valley 5-12 Tracy Facchini, ICAN Director of School Innovations Elisha Coogan and Herkimer BOCES Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services Kathryn Ferguson.
ICAN Chief Executive Officer/President Steven Bulger shakes hands with Herkimer BOCES Assistant Principal of Pathways Academy K-6 Krista Kozma, as Herkimer BOCES Director of Special Programs at Pathways Academy and Central Valley 5-12 Tracy Facchini and Herkimer BOCES Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services Kathryn Ferguson look on. Bulger presented ICAN’s Legacy of Impact Award to Herkimer BOCES at ICAN’s High Stakes, High Impact: Leadership Networking Night on Wednesday, Aug. 26, at the Breezes Banquet & Event Center in Utica.
Herkimer BOCES received a Legacy of Impact Award at ICAN’s High Stakes, High Impact: Leadership Networking Night on Wednesday, Aug. 26, at the Breezes Banquet & Event Center in Utica. From left: Herkimer BOCES Assistant Principal of Pathways Academy K-6 Krista Kozma, Herkimer BOCES Director of Special Programs at Pathways Academy and Central Valley 5-12 Tracy Facchini, ICAN Program Manager/Behavior Support Strategist Jenn Pedersen and Herkimer BOCES Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services Kathryn Ferguson.